Soccer confirmed for Outgames

Soccer – or football, as it’s known to non-Aussies – has been confirmed as the 18th sport for the 2nd AsiaPacific Outgames.

Teams from Sydney, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, and Palmerston North have already expressed interest in participating.

There will be a men’s and women’s competition, with the competition taking a seven-a-side format. All games will be played according to the rules of the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association (www.iglfa.org).

“We have had more requests for football than for any other sport,” sOutgames co-convenor of sports David Huxford said.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to secure a great venue for this.”

The venue is Te Whaea Park, in Newtown, a five-minute drive from central Wellington. The venue, which only opened in July 2010, has an artificial surface.

Because the game is a late addition to the sports program, there will be an earlybird registration available for the sport until 30 November.

The Outgames take place in Wellington from March 12 to 19 next year, with football competition starting on Sunday, March 13.